Community policing key to national security-Expert

By Naomi Sharang

A security expert, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar, says that community policing is key in evolving national security in the country.

He said this at the second National Security Summit and Award organised by the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in collaboration with Osjones International Services Limited in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is “Vigilante as an Integral Part of Nigeria Security Architecture.’’

Abubakar said that Nigeria had been practicing community policing in the past 15 years but lamented that much money had been wasted in that regard without achieving much result.

He said that Nigerians were the most law-abiding people in the world but lacked security laws, security infrastructure and structure.

Abubakar said that creating a policing network for effective national security was a vast area that needed good understanding to ensure a secured environment.

He called on the government to build its own security system, rather than depending on the security architecture of other countries.

On neighbourhood policing, he said that the country had no neighbourhood policing which had given rise to crime and acts of criminality.

“We have not developed a data system or a profiling system that gives room to neighbourhood policing.

“Without neighbourhood policing, it will be very difficult to profile the people around the neighbourhood,” he said.

In his speech, Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau, said that security was a state of being free from danger or threat.

Danbazzau, who was represented by Mrs Beatrice Sugh, Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC), said security was in the hands of all, adding that every citizen must protect his environment.

He said that the vigilante should know that it was their responsibility to form the line of defence in the community they represented in the rural area.

“Their efforts in providing intelligence cannot be ignored, but the operatives should also set a timely reporting process which will enable security agencies like Police and NSCDC deployed to every local government area in Nigeria.’’

He said such synergy would enable security operatives to be on top of any ugly situation before it would be noticed.

“This will go a long way in guaranteeing our internal security and thus, controlling the usual criminal acts on innocent and law abiding-Nigerians.

“We know you exist and the functions you are performing in your various local government, states and Nigeria as a whole.

“We also aware of all the challenges you are facing while dong your assignments.

“We are very happy you have not relented in working because you have taken your decision to serve your community and Nigeria as a whole in spite of the fact that you don’t receive salaries.”

Danbazzau advised the group not to take laws into its hand since it was still a private organisation.

Earlier, Mr Oluyemi Olaiya, Chief Executive Officer, Osjones International Services Limited, had expressed optimism that the Bill on Vigilante Group of Nigeria before President Muhammadu Buhari would be signed.

“Your efforts will soon be rewarded,” he said.